SoFloT4Run
New member
I doubt that the differential will be the culprit as i have also experienced the infamous shimmy. Mind you, i have a 2WD SR5......Soo
Do any KDSS (or susp. upgraded) owners have steering wheel vibration? Please Respond!
- Thread starter pumacat24
- Start date
JAXJeremy
New member
OP has vibration..not shimmy, two different things in my book.
laurabalaura
New member
Wow that's a lot that they're changing... hopefully something comes of it. Good job getting that far with them! I wonder if the TSB would include replacement of the axles, wheel bearings, and the front differential or just the differentials since that's what they claim will be the ultimate fix. Anyway, if a fix does come with it, we would love the paperwork to bring that up with our dealership. Thanks for your persistence :hail:
pumacat24
New member
Thanks, if it’s actually fixed and ready Friday, that will be the 19th day without my car.
It will be worth it only it is is truly fixed AND we can get a TSB for the rest of you who have the same issue.
If it’s not fixed I think it’s time to move on to a new T4R.
Driving this loaner Corolla is cramping my style.... and the fact that I’m still paying for my 4Runner. [emoji51]
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Jetboy
New member
The reason that I think it's unlikely that the differential is causing it is because the only connection from differential to the steering assembly is CV shaft. The CV shafts are built so that they have a fairly decent amount of extension and compression travel with very low friction. So I don't think that there is a mechanism by which the differential would cause exterior feedback issue unless something like a spider gear or seizing was causing the issue. Generally if that happens you'll know right away and it will be very obvious. I suspect the reality is that it's simply a complex system with an inherent resonating frequency. My bat is that something as simple as changing the density of the rubber in the bushings would be enough to fix it, why don't we take a fan out of testing to sort out that type of fix. I would be very curious to know if simply switching the lower control arm bushings to poly bushings solves it.
Given Lexus fixes it with more dampening in the steering box I'm surprised they didn't start with a known fix.
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Jivewalker
Member
I know you have ruled out the tires and wheels. I have driven a runner with the vibrations on a test drive. Mine has zero vibrations, however, I did get the steering wheel vibration when I did my first tire change and they were the LTX tires done at a local shop. After a few back and forth trips I finally went to the dealer, who had just purchased the newest balancing equipment. With persistence, they were able to make it smooth as butter. I am now on my 3rd set of tires, KO2's. this time i had dealer install and insisted on the road force at install. Zero vibrations. Not to beat a dead horse, but maybe the dealer tech is not well versed in balancing. Just a thought. I didn't have it, then I did, now I don't. I know it was the same vibration I experienced on the test driven vehicle. I hope you can get it straight and don't have to ditch the truck. I'm at 177,000 miles now. I'm not understanding how some can have it and some don't when comparing apples to apples. what could be done differently and vary per vehicle other than balancing and alignments?
i also don't think this is the main issue, but my ride is smoother with a new diff (mpg is better too) and according to my service rep wear on the internals, i assume the spider gears, is why toyota changed the TSB from just replacing the needle bearing to replacing the full diff - so i think it could possibly be a contributor.
lunchboxtheman
New member
2018 TRD ORP with KDSS. Smooth as silk factory, and smooth as silk post-lift with stock wheels and tires.
However, I do get pretty decent steering wheel vibration at highway speed with aftermarket wheels and tires. 275/70R17 Falken Wildpeak AT3W and Method Roost wheels. Vibration mostly goes away after a while.
It's definitely due to bad balancing on one of the wheels though. They put a ton of wheel weight on one. If I get them rebalanced at a place that does a better job it would go away.
Just one more data point.
However, I do get pretty decent steering wheel vibration at highway speed with aftermarket wheels and tires. 275/70R17 Falken Wildpeak AT3W and Method Roost wheels. Vibration mostly goes away after a while.
It's definitely due to bad balancing on one of the wheels though. They put a ton of wheel weight on one. If I get them rebalanced at a place that does a better job it would go away.
Just one more data point.
pumacat24
New member
People!
I have an update and no, my car is not fixed yet, but these two things could be BIG news...
1 - The front differential was replaced on my car for a completely different and non-related reason. I know... WTF? I do not exactly know why but I was told they are having issues with some and went ahead and replaced it with a “updated version”. My mind is still boggled on the one.
2 - POSSIBLE BIG NEWS MAYBE A FUTURE TSB!?!
Look what is NOW available for 5th gens... STEERING WHEEL DAMPER:
2018 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium Steering Wheel Damper. Damper, Steering SHAKE. Brakes, Suspension - 4571360070 - Genuine Toyota Part
This steering wheel damper was only still available for 4th gens when I looked for one 2 months ago.
The dealership is now waiting on this part to arrive. The bad news is that they have no ETA yet as I assume I must be one of the first to receive it from Japan.
Yes, I’m assuming these things here, but I know if this had been available before now you if you lovely, educated people would have said, “Hey Cat, why don’t you throw a steering wheel damper on it and call it a day?!”
I told them I need an ETA today because my patience is now at ZERO since I have now been 22 days without my car. (I also said how appreciative I was for all of the help and assistance, I’m not mean about it.)
IF THIS FIXES MY CAR, I WILL REQUEST MY DEALER TO MAKE A TSB FOR IT.
Well. That’s all for now kids.
Will update as soon as I know something else.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I have an update and no, my car is not fixed yet, but these two things could be BIG news...
1 - The front differential was replaced on my car for a completely different and non-related reason. I know... WTF? I do not exactly know why but I was told they are having issues with some and went ahead and replaced it with a “updated version”. My mind is still boggled on the one.
2 - POSSIBLE BIG NEWS MAYBE A FUTURE TSB!?!
Look what is NOW available for 5th gens... STEERING WHEEL DAMPER:
2018 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium Steering Wheel Damper. Damper, Steering SHAKE. Brakes, Suspension - 4571360070 - Genuine Toyota Part
This steering wheel damper was only still available for 4th gens when I looked for one 2 months ago.
The dealership is now waiting on this part to arrive. The bad news is that they have no ETA yet as I assume I must be one of the first to receive it from Japan.
Yes, I’m assuming these things here, but I know if this had been available before now you if you lovely, educated people would have said, “Hey Cat, why don’t you throw a steering wheel damper on it and call it a day?!”
I told them I need an ETA today because my patience is now at ZERO since I have now been 22 days without my car. (I also said how appreciative I was for all of the help and assistance, I’m not mean about it.)
IF THIS FIXES MY CAR, I WILL REQUEST MY DEALER TO MAKE A TSB FOR IT.
Well. That’s all for now kids.
Will update as soon as I know something else.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
ElectroBoy
Banned
Wow. 22 days without your 4R. If they don’t get it fixed in 30 days will you try to start a “Lemon Law” case to get a new vehicle?
I wonder how that steering damper works. The drawing at that link makes it look like it’s already an integral part of the steering wheel, for many model years. The one they ordered for you, are they saying your truck already has one and it’s faulty, or is this a newly available part Toyota designed to address this vibration type of problem?
I wonder how that steering damper works. The drawing at that link makes it look like it’s already an integral part of the steering wheel, for many model years. The one they ordered for you, are they saying your truck already has one and it’s faulty, or is this a newly available part Toyota designed to address this vibration type of problem?
pumacat24
New member
FORTUNATE & UNFORTUNATE UPDATE:
After I got off of the phone with the dealership this AM trying to get an update on the status of my car, the owner of the dealership called and Toyota will be replacing my car.
Not sure how the process will go, but I was sincerely hoping they would fix it and be able to issue a TSB for everyone else suffering from the same issue.
I'm going to start another thread about Toyota replacing my car and the process of how it works and to see if anyone else has been through this.
I'd like to know if anyone has any tips or suggestions on how to proceed once Toyota contacts me about this issue.
Sorry to all who were hoping I'd be able to post a fix, I was really hoping to get a couple bottles of liquor sent my way! hahaha
Also [MENTION=200736]ElectroBoy[/MENTION], I do agree with you on that it already looks integrated, but I firmly believe they would've tried to replace that first instead of everything else they replaced since it seems like a much cheaper and easier fix... but who knows? I know I couldn't find one of those for 5th gens when I search 2 months ago. Strange.
At any rate, best of luck to everyone else who has this issue, and I'd be glad to hep you all in any way I can, just shoot me a DM or post on this thread.
Hopefully this issue will be sorted out by the time the 6th gens arrive.
eace:
After I got off of the phone with the dealership this AM trying to get an update on the status of my car, the owner of the dealership called and Toyota will be replacing my car.
Not sure how the process will go, but I was sincerely hoping they would fix it and be able to issue a TSB for everyone else suffering from the same issue.
I'm going to start another thread about Toyota replacing my car and the process of how it works and to see if anyone else has been through this.
I'd like to know if anyone has any tips or suggestions on how to proceed once Toyota contacts me about this issue.
Sorry to all who were hoping I'd be able to post a fix, I was really hoping to get a couple bottles of liquor sent my way! hahaha
Also [MENTION=200736]ElectroBoy[/MENTION], I do agree with you on that it already looks integrated, but I firmly believe they would've tried to replace that first instead of everything else they replaced since it seems like a much cheaper and easier fix... but who knows? I know I couldn't find one of those for 5th gens when I search 2 months ago. Strange.
At any rate, best of luck to everyone else who has this issue, and I'd be glad to hep you all in any way I can, just shoot me a DM or post on this thread.
Hopefully this issue will be sorted out by the time the 6th gens arrive.
eace:
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Disappointing for the rest of us but good for you for pushing this issue with Toyota and getting to where you did. I guess Toyota would rather hand out a new 4Runner here and there than actually put the effort into solving this. Hopefully your new ride will be vibration free. Keep us posted.
Hans Moleman
New member
While I don't have the steering wheel shakes anymore, I still feel some buzz on the steering wheel. I'm not sure if I have some other problem or it is just the tread of the KO2 tires causing because it depends on the road surface.
I went ahead and ordered the 45713-60070 damper to see if it will help. It was only $20 because of the labor day coupon code from Toyota. I ordered it 3 days ago and surprisingly it shipped today.
LimeLED
New member
Be sure to let us know how it goes!
Hans Moleman
New member
I tried to install the steering wheel damper today. After removing the air bag, here is what I surprisingly found.
The Good News
It already comes from the factory with the damper. It looks exactly like the one I bought, even to the paint markings.
The Bad News
There is one less solution to the problem.
However I’m not sure if all 5th gens come from the factory with the damper or it started at a certain year.
So that was a waste of $20:crybaby:
MAST4R
New member
Interesting comment about the KO2s. Did you have that buzz before the KO2s? And what suspension do you run?
I always had a steering buzz with KO2s on my Subaru and never with my DD tires. It was obviously the tires as my KO2 was a trip tire so I switched regularly and it was definitely related to the tires. But the KO2s were also LTD and very heavy compared to the stock tire so I never really thought of attributing the buzz to the tread.
LimeLED
New member
Bummer! Thanks for trying and posting your findings for us.
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